Learn to fly - Balloons

Flying high over Ottawa-Hull in the Gatineau Balloon Festival.Photo courtesy Gatineau Balloon Festival

Flying Balloons

Balloon pilots must be medically fit as determined by a Designated Medical Examiner. The course includes at least 10 hours ground school, 16 hours flying with not less than 11 hours untethered, one ascent to 5,000 ft and two solo flights of 30 minutes each.

There is a written exam and a flight test. Licence applicants must be 17-years-old. Balloonists' privileges vary depending on the type of balloon used for training.